This unit begins with an introduction to each story, either read by the instructor, computerized story program or book on tape. Then the class is broken into smaller groups to read the stories/scripts together and then asked to come up to the front of the class to read the story as a group.
Unit Objectives (include 4 or 5):
• Student will understand…
o What is required to be fluent at reading.
o What it is to read with confidence.
o How combined letters in words make certain sounds to sound out a word.
o How to read as part of a team.
• Student will be able to…
o Read aloud with more confidence.
o Better sound out words.
o Be more fluent in their reading.
Time Required: At least 45 minutes or more, depending on the reading skills of the students. It may continue to the next class reading session.
Basic Concepts /Skills to be taught:
• The basic concepts to be taught in this lesson are fluency and confidence in reading aloud. Hopefully students will also get some work on the phonetics of the letters. After the stories are read to the class either by the instructor, by tape or through a computer software program. The class will be broken down into groups of three students per group. The students will be asked to practice their story in their small groups while the instructor makes rounds around the class visiting and helping each group. The groups will then be asked to come to the front of the classroom to “perform” and share their stories. Each group will have someone to read the narrator’s and then one of the two character’s parts. Below is an example of one of the stories adapted from the popular and very funny book, “George and Martha, One Fine Day” by James Marshall. This book contains 4 more stories after "One Fine Day" which other student groups could read.
“George and Martha” by James Marshall - Example Reader’s Theatre Story:
Narrator: Hello, my name is. We will be reading the story of “George and Martha, One Fine Day.” I play the narrator.
George: Hello, my name is_ and I play George.
Martha: Hello, my name is___ and I play Martha.
Narrator: One morning when George looked out his window, he could scarcely believe his eyes. Martha was walking on a tightrope.
George: My stars! I could never do that!
Martha: Why not? It’s tons of fun!
George: But it’s so high up.
Martha: Yes.
George: And, it’s such a long way down.
Martha: That is very true.
George: It would be quite a fall.
Martha: I see what you mean.
Narrator: Suddenly Martha felt uncomfortable. For some reason she had lost all her confidence. She began to wobble. George realized his mistake. Now he had to do some fast talking.
George: Of course, anyone can see you love walking the tightrope.
Martha: Oh, yes?
George: Certainly, and if you love what you do, you’ll be very good at it too.
Narrator: Martha’s confidence was restored and she was comfortable on the rope.
Martha: Watch this fancy footwork, George!
All: THE END
Title of Unit: Reader’s Theatre
Make your own Glitter Graphics
Author: Jeannie Lei
Primary Subject: Elementary
Grade Level: Second Grade
Introduction:
This unit begins with an introduction to each story, either read by the instructor, computerized story program or book on tape. Then the class is broken into smaller groups to read the stories/scripts together and then asked to come up to the front of the class to read the story as a group.
Unit Objectives (include 4 or 5):
• Student will understand…
o What is required to be fluent at reading.
o What it is to read with confidence.
o How combined letters in words make certain sounds to sound out a word.
o How to read as part of a team.
• Student will be able to…
o Read aloud with more confidence.
o Better sound out words.
o Be more fluent in their reading.
Time Required: At least 45 minutes or more, depending on the reading skills of the students. It may continue to the next class reading session.
Basic Concepts /Skills to be taught:
• The basic concepts to be taught in this lesson are fluency and confidence in reading aloud. Hopefully students will also get some work on the phonetics of the letters. After the stories are read to the class either by the instructor, by tape or through a computer software program. The class will be broken down into groups of three students per group. The students will be asked to practice their story in their small groups while the instructor makes rounds around the class visiting and helping each group. The groups will then be asked to come to the front of the classroom to “perform” and share their stories. Each group will have someone to read the narrator’s and then one of the two character’s parts. Below is an example of one of the stories adapted from the popular and very funny book, “George and Martha, One Fine Day” by James Marshall. This book contains 4 more stories after "One Fine Day" which other student groups could read.
“George and Martha” by James Marshall - Example Reader’s Theatre Story:
Narrator: Hello, my name is. We will be reading the story of “George and Martha, One Fine Day.” I play the narrator.
George: Hello, my name is_ and I play George.
Martha: Hello, my name is___ and I play Martha.
Narrator: One morning when George looked out his window, he could scarcely believe his eyes. Martha was walking on a tightrope.
George: My stars! I could never do that!
Martha: Why not? It’s tons of fun!
George: But it’s so high up.
Martha: Yes.
George: And, it’s such a long way down.
Martha: That is very true.
George: It would be quite a fall.
Martha: I see what you mean.
Narrator: Suddenly Martha felt uncomfortable. For some reason she had lost all her confidence. She began to wobble. George realized his mistake. Now he had to do some fast talking.
George: Of course, anyone can see you love walking the tightrope.
Martha: Oh, yes?
George: Certainly, and if you love what you do, you’ll be very good at it too.
Narrator: Martha’s confidence was restored and she was comfortable on the rope.
Martha: Watch this fancy footwork, George!
All: THE END